HECTOR -- The Hector City Council approved the mayor to research prices and payment options for buying a used police car during the city council meeting Thursday at Hector City Hall.

"Our cars are on their last leg, and we could put more money in them than what their worth," Mayor Martha Owens said.

She said Hector probably wouldn't be able to lease used "turn-ins" from the county any longer. Hector has been leasing older model cars from Pope County for $1 for about 10 years.

Currently, Hector's vehicles are climbing in mileage and have begun needing more and more repairs, Owens said.

Owens said she had found newer model police vehicles from 2004 to 2005 with low mileage for between $12,000 and $14,000.

"Over the next year, we probably need to save enough money that we can do this," she said, noting leasing may also be an option.

Getting a new police car may become one of the city's top priorities because it would help keep and the city safe, Owens said.

"We actually do need one," Alderman Tommy Chandler said.

The council approved the mayor to look into options for payment plans and prices of police vehicles.

Rumor has it...

After rumors began to surface about the chances of another mayoral or alderman candidate popping up at the last minute, Pope County Circuit Clerk Don Johnson recommended the Hector City Council read the 1996 ordinance on all Independent candidates and all other municipals.

The ordinance states all candidates must file intent to run for a position at the same time, effectively eliminating "pop-up candidates."

Hector and Atkins also have ordinances against write-ins, in which voters write the name of their preferred candidate on the ballot, Owens said.

In other business

The council passed a resolution to obtain the 50/50 grant and to secure funds necessary to improve the city park.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department will be repairing the culvert at Cedar Lane and U.S. Highway 27 Monday and Tuesday, Owens said. The area may be blocked to traffic.

Tractor tires used as play equipment in the city park will have to be removed because they no longer meet state codes, Owens said.

The council readjusted the budget, taking $9,000 from the general fund and into the park and street maintenance fund to last for the rest of the year. Secretary/Court Clerk Ginna Strickland recommended the adjustment to balance the 2006 budget.

"Next year, we'll make arrangements for our budget in October for money we receive from the grant," Owens said.

The motion passed unanimously.

The city budget's ending balance for May was $45,428, said Billy Blalack, recorder / treasurer.